The Just Transitions Partnership team provides tools and resources that all communities can use to plan and manage their own just transition, however big or small.

This page has advice to help you search and apply for funding, as well as links to funding portals run by government, private and philanthropic organisations.

Funding is available for a range of activities from support for community meetings to getting transformative projects off the ground.

Read our guide to just transitions

Finding funding

Navigating the funding landscape can be difficult. However, with the right tools and knowledge, it is possible to find and access publicly available funding. Funding providers include central and local government, as well as private and philanthropic funds.

When searching for funding opportunities, keep in mind that each funding agency may have its own application process and eligibility criteria. Make sure you read through all the information they provide before applying.

Feel free to reach out to organisations or individuals for more information or advice on finding funding.

Search online

One way to identify funding is by using search engines:

• Start by using specific keywords related to your funding needs. For example, if you are looking for funding for a just transition project, you could use keywords such as “community fund” or “business grant” or “youth worker funding”.
• Use advanced search techniques to narrow down your results. For example, you can use quotation marks to search for an exact phrase such as “community funding New Zealand” or “small business grants New Zealand” or “youth worker training funding”. You can use the minus sign to exclude certain words from your search.
• Look for reputable sources of information such as government websites or well-known organisations in your field. These sources often have lists of available funding opportunities or resources to help you find funding.

Government funding

The government provides funding through various programmes and agencies. These are some of the funding sources that may be useful for resourcing a just transition.

Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua

To support voluntary and not-for-profit organisations working in local communities and neighbourhoods through the Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS).

Community Matters(external link)  — communitymatters.govt.nz

Ministry for Primary Industries | Manatū Ahu Matua

To support problem-solving and innovation in New Zealand’s food and fibre sectors by co-investing in initiatives that make a positive and lasting difference.

About sustainable food and fibre futures(external link)  — Ministry for Primary Industries

Ministry for the Environment | Manatū Mō Te Taiao

To make a positive difference to the environment.

Funding(external link)  — Ministry for the Environment

Ministry of Māori development | Te Puni Kōkiri

To support economic, cultural, social and environmental projects which help strengthen whānau, communities, regions and the New Zealand economy.

Ngā pūtea me ngā ratonga(external link)  — Ministry of Māori development

Ministry of Ethnic Communities | Te Tari Mātāwaka

To support community development and social cohesion.

Ethnic Communities Development Fund(external link) — Ministry of Ethnic Communities

Kānoa | Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit

To build more productive, resilient, inclusive, sustainable and Māori-enabling (PRISM) regional economies by delivering local approaches tailored to a region's particular needs and advantages.

New funding(external link)  — Kānoa

Callaghan Innovation

To help businesses grow faster for a better New Zealand by providing a range of innovation and research and development (R&D) services to suit each stage of growth.

Funding(external link)  — Callaghan Innovation

He tipu ka hua investment fund

To support Māori-led research programmes that will make a meaningful difference to the capability and capacity of Māori to engage with the Research, Science, and Innovation (RSI) system and generate new research activity.

He tipu ka hua investment fund Call for Proposals

He aka ka toro investment fund

To advance iwi, hapū, hapori, and Māori Research, Science and Innovation (RSI) priorities and build stronger deployment of RSI investment towards communities and rohe/takiwā where Māori knowledge is practiced, and where experts and practitioners are based.

He aka ka toro investment fund Call for Proposals

Other funding sources

You may want to consider accessing private or philanthropic funds, such as those from charitable trusts. These organisations often have their own websites where you can find information on their funding opportunities.

Some examples include:

The Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust

Offers a range of funding opportunities from charitable trusts. They strategically invest in initiatives to encourage innovative thinking, research capability and collaboration and to develop emerging leaders in New Zealand’s primary sector.

Our funding programmes(external link)  — Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust

Ara Ake

Provides a list of funding available to energy innovators and a tool matching industry or innovators' needs with energy innovation solutions.

Funding support(external link)  — Ara Ake

Community Trust South

Offers a range of funding programmes for projects, organisations, services and events that help to support thriving communities.

General grants(external link)  — Community Trust South

Climate Action Aotearoa

The Funders Commitment on Climate Action is a short voluntary pledge outlining 7 commitments that participating community trusts have made, in order to support community-based climate action initiatives.

Climate Action Aotearoa(external link)  — climateactionaotearoa.co.nz

Check you can apply

Once you have found a funding opportunity that you are interested in, the next step is to check your eligibility.

Each funder will have its own eligibility criteria so it is important to carefully read through the information they provide before applying. Make sure you meet all the requirements and that you can provide evidence of your eligibility if it is needed.

Some grants schemes only fund organisations of a certain size (for example maximum annual operating expenditure) or they may ask you to show how your project will contribute to locally determined outcomes. Others may have environmental regulation requirements or need you to demonstrate collaboration. Some agencies can provide funding to individuals but for others you may need to be a registered charity or find a third party to be a fundholder.

If you are unsure whether you meet the eligibility criteria or if you have any questions about the application process, contact the funding agency for clarification.

Preparing your application

Once you have confirmed you are eligible, the next step is to prepare your application. The funder may have its own application guidelines that you will need to follow.

Remember, when preparing your application:

• Read through the guidelines carefully and provide all the required information and supporting documents.
• Collate the supporting documents or other materials before you apply. Funding agencies may ask for media releases, brochures, your NZ Business Number, annual reports or annual accounts.
• Provide clear and concise information that addresses all the requirements set out by the funding agency.
• Keep your information and documentation up to date.
• Check the submission date and make sure you apply on time.

If you are unsure how to present your information or if you have any questions about the application process, contact the funding agency for guidance.

For some best practice funding guidance check out the Code of Funding Practice from the Department of Internal Affairs.

Good Practice Participate(external link)  — Department of Internal Affairs

Submitting your application

Once your application is complete, it’s time to submit it.

• Make sure you submit your application before the deadline. Late applications may not be accepted.
• When submitting your application, make sure you have provided all the required information and supporting documents.
• After submitting your application, it may take some time for the funding agency to review it and make a decision.

More information

For guidance on how to run a local just transition process, visit the just transition guide.

A guide to just transitions | He puka arataki whakawhitinga tika

If you need support planning a just transition in your community or want to find out more, please email: justtransitions@mbie.govt.nz